Architectural Review Board hears Raw Bar plan

Historic City News will be watching next week as the St Augustine Historic Architectural Review Board hears the pitch from planners representing entrepreneur Pat Croce, to redevelop the landmark Santa Maria Restaurant into a raw bar serving oysters on the half shell and alcohol.

Karen Taylor proposes that the development be approved as a PUD, in part to avoid some of the design requirements in place today, with which the aging building could never conform. That request, made to the Planning and Zoning Board last week, was the subject of heated discussion, but led to a continuance until after the HARB review scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on July 17th.

Although Planning and Zoning will address issues like what is allowed in OL (Open Land) locations and whether or not the development is suitable for a PUD, the Historic Architectural Review Board will address appearance issues, like the size, colors, and content of commercial signs. The latter became a bone of contention after PZB Chair, Sue Agresta, distributed photographs of a scantily-clad woman; part of the restaurant’s signage in Key West.

If you are planning to attend the public meeting of the HARB, it will be held on Thursday, July 17th, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the Alcazar Room at City Hall; located at 75 King Street in St Augustine. Meetings are broadcast over the Internet at http://www.COSAtv.com